Post by Gord on Sept 5, 2019 19:17:45 GMT -8
Randy asked a good question about background in images. It's not always possible to get that nice out-of-focus background that very nicely sets off the subject. Often, the bird or animal is in the shrubs and trees with branches and leaves all around. A pleasing photo can still be obtained with leaves and branches around and I like these showing the birds' natural habitat.
To get that nice out of focus background, smaller aperture lenses helps a great deal. These "fast lenses", usually down to f-stop 2.8 or f-stop 4 are good for getting a background that's out of focus. But this does rely on how close the background is to the subject. Even the fastest lens wont blur out a branch a couple inches behind the subject.
Sometimes composition can make all the difference, even with a 'slower' lens like a f-5.6 and moving a few inches one way or another can make all the difference. In the photo below of the young Barn Swallows I shuffled about a foot to my left and took a second photo. Makes all the difference!
Barn Swallow by Gord G, on Flickr
Barn Swallow by Gord G, on Flickr
To get that nice out of focus background, smaller aperture lenses helps a great deal. These "fast lenses", usually down to f-stop 2.8 or f-stop 4 are good for getting a background that's out of focus. But this does rely on how close the background is to the subject. Even the fastest lens wont blur out a branch a couple inches behind the subject.
Sometimes composition can make all the difference, even with a 'slower' lens like a f-5.6 and moving a few inches one way or another can make all the difference. In the photo below of the young Barn Swallows I shuffled about a foot to my left and took a second photo. Makes all the difference!
Barn Swallow by Gord G, on FlickrBarn Swallow by Gord G, on Flickr